Manitoba Hansard — 17 May 2023 (Sitting 56, 42nd Legislature, 5th Session)

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Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session – Forty-Second Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Myrna Driedger Speaker Vol. LXXVII No. 56 - 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2023 ISSN 0542-5492

MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Forty-Second Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ALTOMARE, Nello Transcona NDP ASAGWARA, Uzoma Union Station NDP BRAR, Diljeet Burrows NDP BUSHIE, Ian Keewatinook NDP CLARKE, Eileen, Hon. Agassiz PC COX, Cathy Kildonan-River East PC CULLEN, Cliff, Hon. Spruce Woods PC DRIEDGER, Myrna, Hon. Roblin PC EICHLER, Ralph Lakeside PC EWASKO, Wayne, Hon. Lac du Bonnet PC FONTAINE, Nahanni St. Johns NDP GERRARD, Jon, Hon. River Heights Lib. GOERTZEN, Kelvin, Hon. Steinbach PC GORDON, Audrey, Hon. Southdale PC GUENTER, Josh Borderland PC GUILLEMARD, Sarah, Hon.

Fort Richmond PC HELWER, Reg Brandon West PC ISLEIFSON, Len Brandon East PC JOHNSON, Derek, Hon. Interlake-Gimli PC JOHNSTON, Scott, Hon. Assiniboia PC KHAN, Obby, Hon. Fort Whyte PC KINEW, Wab Fort Rouge NDP KLEIN, Kevin E., Hon. Kirkfield Park PC LAGASSÉ, Bob Dawson Trail PC LAGIMODIERE, Alan Selkirk PC LAMONT, Dougald St. Boniface Lib. LAMOUREUX, Cindy Tyndall Park Lib. LATHLIN, Amanda The Pas-Kameesak NDP LINDSEY, Tom Flin Flon NDP MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood NDP MARCELINO, Malaya Notre Dame NDP MARTIN, Shannon McPhillips PC MICHALESKI, Brad Dauphin PC MICKLEFIELD, Andrew Rossmere PC MORLEY-LECOMTE, Janice, Hon.

Seine River PC MOSES, Jamie St. Vital NDP NAYLOR, Lisa Wolseley NDP NESBITT, Greg, Hon. Riding Mountain PC PEDERSEN, Blaine Midland PC PIWNIUK, Doyle, Hon. Turtle Mountain PC REDHEAD, Eric Thompson NDP REYES, Jon, Hon. Waverley PC SALA, Adrien St. James NDP SANDHU, Mintu The Maples NDP SCHULER, Ron Springfield-Ritchot PC SMITH, Andrew, Hon. Lagimodière PC SMITH, Bernadette Point Douglas NDP SMOOK, Dennis La Vérendrye PC SQUIRES, Rochelle, Hon. Riel PC STEFANSON, Heather, Hon. Tuxedo PC TEITSMA, James, Hon. Radisson PC WASYLIW, Mark Fort Garry NDP WHARTON, Jeff, Hon.

Red River North PC WIEBE, Matt Concordia NDP WISHART, Ian Portage la Prairie PC WOWCHUK, Rick Swan River PC Vacant Morden-Winkler

2419 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA Wednesday, May 17, 2023 The House met at 1:30 p.m. Madam Speaker: O Eternal and Almighty God, from Whom all power and wisdom come, we are assembled here before Thee to frame such laws as may tend to the welfare and prosper ity of our province. Grant, O merciful God, we pray Thee, that we may desire only that which is in accordance with Thy will, that we may seek it with wisdom and know it with certainty and accomplish it perfectly for the glory and honour of Thy name and for the welfare of all our people. Amen.

We acknowledge we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory and that Manitoba is located on the treaty territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk nations. We a cknowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We acknowledge northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit. We respect the spirit and intent of treaties and treaty making and remain committed to working in partner- ship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.

Good afternoon, everybody. Please be seated. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Bill 40–The Combative Sports Amendment Act Hon. Obby Khan (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the minister of economic invest ment, dev elopment and trade, that Bill 40, The Combative Sports Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honour - able Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage, seconded by the honourable Minister for Economic Development, Investment and Trade, that Bill 40, The Combative Sports Amendment Act, be now read a first time. Mr.

Khan: Madam Speaker, this bill amends The Combative Sports Act in order to author ize the Manitoba Combative Sports Com mission to regulate and sanction both professional and amateur combative sports, facilitating uniform safety standards across the combative sport landscape and allowing for a wider range of amateur combative sport competitions to 'plake'– to take place in Manitoba safely. Madam Speaker, our government is committed to fostering a culture of safety and acces sibility across Manitoba sports sect ors.

This bill enables athletes, officials, coaches and others involved in the combative sport community to pursue their athletic objectives while fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being and, most importantly, safety, of all those who partici- pate in combative sports. Madam Speaker, this bill furthers our government's commitment to safe and equitable access to sports for all Manitobans. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: Committee reports? [interjection] Oh, is it the p leasure of the House to adopt the motion? Agreed? [Agreed] Committee reports? Tabling of reports?

Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: And I'm going to have to take this time to intro duce some guests that we have in the gallery because they are soon going to be leaving the gallery. So, seated in the public gallery, from Garden Valley Collegiate, we have 45 grade–oh, I don't have the–what grades they are–under the direction of Cherise Bergen. And this group is located in the constituency of the hon- ourable member for Morden-Winkler. On behalf of all members here, we welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage –and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes' notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 27(2). Would the honourable minister please proceed with his statement. Jewish Heritage Month Hon. Obby Khan (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Shalom, Madam Speaker. I rise today to recognize and celebrate the month of May as Jewish Heritage Month in Manitoba.

2420 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 In the last session of this House, our government passed The Jewish Heritage Month Act, which states: In each year, the month of May is to be known throughout Manitoba as Jewish Heritage Month. This act honours and recognizes the incredible contribution of the Jewish community in our province and aligns with the Jewish Heritage Month in Canada. For over two centuries, Jewish people have con- tributed to the development of our province. The 1881 census indicates Manitoba's Jewish population was approximately 100 people.

It was the Russian pogroms of 1881 and 1882 that brought some 340 Jewish immigrants to Manitoba. Madam Speaker, through various waves of settle- ment and immigration, a strong and vibrant Jewish community has emerged across Canada, which, as of the 2021 census, is nearly 400,000 people strong, the fourth largest Jewish community in the world. Manitoba is currently home to nearly 3 per cent of Canada's total Jewish popula tion, and the Manitoba Jewish com - munity is a strong and vital contributor to the cultural landscape of Manitoba.

One of the many important Jewish cultural institutions is the–in Manitoba is the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, a cornerstone of the Asper Jewish Community Campus, located right here in Winnipeg. The purpose of this vibrant centre is to interpret and disseminate information on the history and culture of Jewish people in western Canada and to develop awareness of the history, moral and ethical implications of the Holocaust and other human rights violations.

We commend this important work and that of all other cultural organizations like the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg who share Jewish heritage, culture and traditions with all Manitobans. We must also take this time to reflect on the rise of hate crimes across Manitoba and Canada as a whole. Anti -Semitism and all forms of hate crimes have no place in Manitoba. We condemn them and we must all work together to ensure a safety–community for all.

The engagement of Jewish Manitobans through arts, sports, business, medical, educational, trades, politics, public service, volunteerism makes our pro - vince a better place to live. Madam Speaker, this May, I would encourage all Manitobans–residents to take the time to learn and acknowledge Jewish peoples and the histories in Manitoba and beyond. The Jewish community is one of vital, varied and diverse communities who have and will continue to contribute to make stronger–to make a stronger, more diverse and welcoming Manitoba for all. Together, we are stronger. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

And shalom to all my Jewish friends in the gallery today for coming out for Jewish Heritage Month. Thank you so much. Mrs. Bernadette Smith (Point Douglas): May is Jewish Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize Jewish culture, faith, history and the immense con - tributions Jewish communities have made to the social, political and economic fabric of Manitoba. Jewish people first came to Manitoba in the late 1800s, and now the Jewish community in Manitoba has grown to more than 11,000. Being born and raised in the North End, I'm very proud to have many friends who are of Jewish ancestry.

Jewish communities have a rich history in Manitoba, including involvement in the labour move- ment of the early 20th century and helping to organize the Winnipeg General Strike. * (13:40) Today, they are more –there are many well - organized Jewish institutions and businesses in Manitoba, including the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Jewish foundation of Winnipeg and so many more.

While we celebrate the history and contributions of Jewish people this month, it is important to recog- nize that Jewish people–or Jewish communities around the world continue to face a frightening rise of anti-Semitism, hate and discrimination. Sadly, we know that Canada is not immune to this form of hatred. Anti-Semitism in Canada has reached record levels in the past few years. It is unacceptable that our collective –and it–it's unacceptable, and it is our collective responsibility to denounce and combat this form of hatred whenever and wherever it occurs.

I encourage all Canadians to take this opportunity to reflect and learn more about the incredib le role Jewish Canadians have played and continue to play in our society. Let us continue to educate ourselves and the next generation on the importance of building a safer, more diverse and inclusive society for all. Miigwech for all of the tre mendous contributions that you have made to make Manitoba a great province.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2421 Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): I ask leave to speak to the minister's statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr. Gerrard: Madam Speaker, Jewish Heritage Month, May, is a time to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Jewish people to our province. On this occasion, I will highlight the contribution of Jewish physicians. By 2019, when Eva Wiseman's book, Heali ng Lives: a Century of Manitoba Jewish Physicians, was published, there were already more than 400 Jewish physicians.

The book is full of their amazing stories and contributions, from the work of Harry Medovy, pediatrician-in-chief at the Children's Hos pital of Winnipeg from 1954 to 1970, to Arnold Naimark, who was dean of medicine from 1971 to 1981, and who was instrumental, together with Lyonel Israels, in my coming to Winnipeg. I want to highlight one individual with whom I worked closely. In 1973, Dr. Arnold Greenberg discovered natural killer cells, a group of white blood cells which have a natural ability to destroy cancer cells and cells in - fected with a virus.

He followed this up with studies of the enzymes which are found in the small granules inside the natural killer cells and which do the actual work. This research was followed by studies of the process by which cells die. All of these findings have had a large impact on the knowledge of how the human body defends itself against cancer and viruses. Sadly, Arnold Greenberg passed away in 2001, but his legacy, along with that of many other Jewish physicians, lives on.

During my time at what was then the Manitoba Cancer Foundation, at the Children's Hospital and in doing research at the Manito ba Institute of Cell Biology, I worked closely with and learned from many outstanding Jewish physicians, including, among many others, Sara Israels, Allan Becker, Brent Schacter, Cheryl Rockman -Greenberg and Harvey Chochinov. Considering the fact that th ere was, for a period in the history of the Manitoba medical school, a severe prejudice and discrimination against those who were Jewish, the achievements of Jewish physicians in Manitoba is all the more remarkable. Thank you. Merci.

Miigwech. Madam Speaker: Further ministerial statements? Oh–the honourable Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage (Mr. Khan). Mr. Khan: Sorry, Madam Speaker. I ask for leave to include the name of the Jewish community that is here today to witness Jewish Heritage Mo nth from minis- terial statements. If I can add that into Hansard, please. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow the names into Hansard? [Agreed] Ruth Ashrafi, Stephanie Cezar, Abby Flackman, Jason Gisser, Adriana Glikman, Michael Goldberg, Elaine Goldstine, Sharon Graham, Mark Kantor, Linda Levesque, Adam Levy, Evelyn Orlovitz, Kliel Rose, Anton Yakovenko, Gustavo Zentner Madam Speaker: Further ministerial statements? International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia Madam Speaker: The honourable Minister of Families– and I would indicate that the required 90 minutes' notice prior to routine proceedings was provided in accordance with rule 27(2).

Would the honour able minister please proceed with her statement. Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): I rise to recognize that today is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This day was created in 2004 as a global cam - paign aimed at raising awareness about the ongoing discrimination, violence and marginalization faced by those who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender-diverse and all those with diverse sexual orientations and sex characteristics.

This is the 19th annual celebration of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This day is celebrated in over 130 countries, uniting millions of people. It feels especially important right now to mark this day and unite in our collective efforts to promote a safe, inclusive and stigma -free society for all, and we recog nize that these rights are in - creasingly under threat. Here in Manitoba, we celebrate our diverse com- munities and we celebrate with all persons who are fighting for a world where people live free from violence and discr imination.

We take time today to recognize and celebrate the hard-won advances for the

2422 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 2SLGBTQQIA+ com munities, and commit to con- tinuing in that pursuit. This year's May 17th theme is Together Always: United in Diversity. We recognize the power of solidarity, community and allyship across different identities, movements and borders. We stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and helping every- one ensure that everyone is entitled to equal respect, protection and fulfillment of their fundamental human rights. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Love is love. Ms.

Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): The international day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is a day for reflecting on the progress made and the chal - lenges that remain in ensuring equity and inclusion for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We must stand united in our commitment to fight discrimination and foster a society where everyone can live authentically and without fear. Today serves as a powerful reminder that homo - phobia, biphobia and transphobia continue to persist, harming individuals and communities. In Manitoba, the 2SLGBTQ community has fought hard for human rights.

We have laws protecting individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and we have a strong network of community groups actively dedicated to advocacy and education. There is still much work to be done, Madam Speaker; 2SLGBTQ individuals continue to face systemic barriers, and many continue to experience violence and harassment. Just this past week in Manitoba we've seen attempts to ban books that have 2SLGBTQ con- tent, and a targeted attack on a local school, stealing their Pride flag and a collection of inclusive books. The Premier (Mrs.

Stefanson) and the PC govern- ment need to unequiv ocally speak out against book banning, and condemn the attack on Riverbend Community School. To not do so is to fail to support the 2SLGBTQ+ com munity, not only in Manitoba, but in society as a whole. Today we must present a united front and recommit ourselves to building a Manitoba that champions equity, justice and respect for all. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): I ask for leave to speak to the ministerial statement. Madam Speaker: Does the member have leave to respond to the ministerial statement? [Agreed] Mr.

Lamont: I am honoured to speak in support of international day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. There is currently a massive and co -ordinated political effort across the globe to roll back decades of hard-won progress and freedoms, democratic rights, legal rights and to deny human beings their basic rights that we have come to take for granted in a liberal democracy. Right here in Manitoba, a Pride flag and 2SLGBTQ book collection were stolen from a sup posed safe space: a school in our own province.

Again, here in Manitoba, teachers, librarians and even students are being attacked for having age- appropriate books that describe human reality in their classrooms. And we've seen this happen before, over and over. This is a moral panic that is being weaponized by politicians who either fan the flames of dehuman- ization or stand by as it happens. Every person deserves to live a life free from fear, shame and discrimination, regardless of their se xual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Because when we talk about discrimination and phobias, or hate and bigotry, what we're really talking about is dehumanization.

And dehumanization is extremely dangerous, because when we start treating a fell ow living, breathing human being as less than, it makes terrible things possible. * (13:50) We support 2SLGBTQ rights, women's rights and Indigenous rights, because they are human rights; conscious rights –conscience rights and freedom of speech, because we're all human beings and as such, we're all entitled to the dignity and freedom and respect we should have for one another, especially on days today where rights are being attacked while awareness is being raised.

Freedom of speech is still fundamental ly sup - posed to be about attacking ideas, not people. School boards still have to operate in a framework of human rights and the respect for every individual as a human being –students and staff, whatever their religion, gender–and it is our job to uphold and protect individual freedoms against the tyranny of the majority. Transgender youth are five times more likely– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. An Honourable Member: Leave.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2423 Madam Speaker: Is there leave to allow him to complete his statement? [Agreed] Mr. Lamont: Transgender youth are five times more likely to think about or attempt suicide than their peers. They are often the targets of physical attacks. These are facts. We need to make it sure that students make it out of grade 12 alive. When it comes to human rights and representa - tion, we've all been here before, and the 2SLGBT community needs all of our support.

This isn't a time for partisan politics, because someone's identity is not politics; it's their truth and their lives. The question is not what someone's gender is or what community they belong to. The question is whether we, as legislators and as fellow Manitobans, will have the courage to set aside our differences and have the integrity to accept them for what they are, as –human beings–stand with them and protect them. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Just for the infor mation of mem - bers in the gallery, there is to be no participation from the gallery in terms of applauding the workings of the floor here. So, I would ask members to please not applaud. MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Portage la Prairie Constituency Acknowledgements Mr. Ian Wishart (Portage la Prairie): As this is likely my last op portunity to do a private member's statement in this House, I would l ike to take this opportunity to thank my constituents for the honour of representing them for the last 12 years.

One of the first things you learn as an MLA is that you are, first and foremost, public servants, and a big part of your job is listeni ng and helping people with their problems. And I do believe this is one of the parts of the job I will miss the most. Many things have changed in Portage la Prairie during my time. Services for constituents have ex- panded. We have a new assisted living f acility completed and another one in planning. Several early years and child -care facilities have been built or expanded. There's a new hospital under construction.

We have a RAAM clinic and we have improved and restored the recreation facilities at Delta and St. Ambroise that were destroyed in the 2011 flood. On the business side, we had Roquette come to town, which has put Portage and Manitoba on the world map in terms of agricultural processing. Simplot fry plant doubled in size. McCain has modernized its plant. We have locally grown pea proces sor called NutriPea. Richardson Pioneer oat processing facility continues to grow and expand and is one of the biggest in the world.

Southport Aerospathe [phonetic] growth has continued–they train rotary wind pilots there and are bidding on fixed- wings; and the vegetable industry continues to grow and expand in the Portage area–and I like to say, right from asparagus to zucchini, A to Z. Infrastructure changes include sewer and water upgrades, and more is planned. We're completing rebuilding of the west end of the city, Saskatchewan Avenue in process, and it'll look dramatically different when we're done. Replacement of the damaged over- pass that we're all so familiar with is well on way at the west end of Portage la Prairie.

I'd like to thank you, Madam Speaker, and all the staff here in the Legislature for their patience. And to all my MLA colleagues, on both sides of the House: it has been an honour serving with you. Glenelm Neighbourhood Association Mr. Jim Maloway (Elmwood): There are many community groups active in the Elmwood area. One highly active community association in the Elmwood area is the Glenelm Neighborhood Association. This association is a 100 per cent volunteer-run organ- ization that takes an active role in the community in a wide variety of areas.

Notably, they participate as a sponsor at Elmwood's winter fun at Clara Hughes park. For example, they organize pumpkin drops with the Green Action Centre and Compost Winnipeg; they do spring cleanups, organize snow sculpture events and have a community newsletter. On May 12th, they hosted a town hall on climate change and invited their elected representatives to join in the discussion on the path to NetZero by 2050, and the City of Winni peg's CEIR report, standing for Community Energy Investment Roadmap.

Included in the town hall discussions were presentations from Trees Winnipeg, the International Institute of Sustainable Development and Bike Winnipeg. As an elected representative, I was able to take the opportunity to talk about my right -to-repair private member's bills which are currently before the Legislature. Each bill has a significant environmental and sustain- ability dimension. Canada produces 750,000 tons of electronic waste annually and right to repair will be a giant step forward in reducing this waste.

2424 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 Right to repair means that products produced by manufacturers like Apple, Samsung and John Deere will be designed and manufactured to last longer and be repairable for 10 years as now is the case in Europe and soon to be in the United States. Your washer and dryer, for example, would be designed and made to last at least 10 years and not be tossed into landfills. Linden Christian School Performance Hon.

Obby Khan (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, this past weekend, I was happy to say my constituency of Fort Whyte was bustling with excitement. Friday evening, I had the pleasure of watching the amazing and talented students from Linden Christian School perform Disney's Beauty and the Beast with my 10 -year-old son. We were blown away by the unbelievable acting, costumes, live orchestra and sets put on by the students. It was clear by the packed house that this was the place to be on Friday night in F ort Whyte.

They sold 2,175 tickets, which is the largest–or, the highest ticket sales to date for a play put on by Linden Christian. There were countless hours of production put in by the students, teachers, volunteers and parents. For a moment, I even forgot I was at a school and thought I was at Broadway; it was such an amazing, epic performance. Friday night's excitement continued right into Saturday, where the entire Whyte Ridge com munity neighborhood was out for the annual community garage sale.

That has been a long-standing community event, but was on short hiatus due to COVID -19, but it came back bigger and stronger than ever. The community garage sale not only allowed people to sell and trade pre-loved items, it gave neigh- bours an opportunity to converse and build com - munity. It was great to walk around and see so many friendly faces. I was even able to add to my Star Wars- Star Trek collection by purchasing some rare collectibles. For my constituents in Linden Woods, mark your calendars: Saturday, June 3rd is your community garage sale.

Madam Speaker, I ask for everyone to come out to Fort Whyte and attend the amazing garage sale on June 3rd; it's a great time to build community, get out and about and see everyone. And you might find some rare gems in Linden Woods. I also ask, Madam Speaker, for leave to include the names of the entire crew, students and teachers who were involved in the amazing performance on Linden Christian School Beauty and the Beast. Get your tickets early for next year; it's going to be another sold-out show. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Osa Aigbedo, Kayla Bailey, Erika Barenz, Christabel Bergen, Meredith Buhler, Arianna Byfield, Daunte Byfield, Avi Cook, Natalie Dixon, Layla Du Toit, Gracie Fast, Lincoln Fast, Sarah Fast, Daniel Frimpong, Mabel Harrington, Lauren Hartley, Joyce lbrahim, Georgia Johnson, Kieran Johnson, Pauline Johnson, Sierra Kramer, Tacia Krystik, Elizabeth Lyubashenko, Callum MacBeath, Abbey McDowell - Steinburg, Krista Mo, Connor Morris, Atiksh Mutalik, Leah Nachtigall, Roan Neufeld, Zoë Neufeld, Blessing Olafusi, Lauren Pasveer, Zara Pollendine, Kallie Poppleton, Xiaowei Quan, Ariel Recksiedler, Grace Santschi, Thea Schau, Abigail Schroeder, Samara Simpson, Mirah Siwik, Anna Slyker, Everly Stokes, Landen Stokes, Ethan Wiebe, Bethany Wiens, Elizabeth Wiens Pinays Manitoba Inc.

MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Founded in 2016, Pinays Manitoba Inc. stands as a testament to the strength of Filipino women in Manitoba. The term Pinays is a Filipino expression that refers to Filipino women and identity for those living abroad. As a registered community organization, Pinays Manitoba is unwavering in its commitment to empowering Filipino women in Manitoba through education, advocacy and pro- viding scholarships to graduating high school students.

With a clear mission to address unique challenges faced by Filipino women, Pinays Manitoba actively works towards developing role models for our diverse community, most specially for the next generation of Filipino women. Their vision is to recognize the remarkable contributions made by Filipino women of all ages across our province, and aims to both cele - brate these women as catalysts for positive change.

As Pinays Manitoba celebrates its seven -year anniver - sary, the organization continues to evolve and respond to the needs of the community. * (14:00) As their flagship program, the annual Pinays Manitoba Trailblazers Recognition Awards has show- cased remarkable achievements of its recipients over the past seven years. These Filipino women exemplify the spirit of Pinays Manitoba, making positive and

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2425 impactful contributions to the community and in - spiring change in people's lives. By showcasing these stories, Pinays Manitoba fosters an environment where young Pi nays can look up to trailblazers and be inspired to make a positive impact on the community as well. Pinays Manitoba Inc. embraces the power and potential of Filipino women, and as they continue to grow and make a positive difference, their impact resonates far beyond the borders of Manitoba. And on a personal note, Madam Speaker, I am truly blessed to work alongside with these women leaders.

I am truly blessed, because I have had the good fortune of knowing many of these leaders for most of my life, and it is my deep honour to be able to lift them up here today for the remarkable work that they're doing for our community. And I would like my colleagues to please join me in welcoming members of Pinays Manitoba who have joined us in the gallery, including: Winnie Navarro, Emmie Joaquin, Connie DeVilla, Josie Concepcion, Rey-Ar Reyes, Lucille Nolasco -Garrido and Araceli Ancheta. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Collège Béliveau Ringette Teams Hon.

Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I rise in the House today to recognize Collège Béliveau's high school and junior high ringette teams, located in the Windsor Park neighborhood of the Southdale constituency. Coaches Chantal Freynet -Hawthorn, Shannon Baxter, Tara Gilkes and Kristin Farkas led the teams to an exc iting double victory where both teams secured gold medals at the 2023 River East Ringette Association tournament. The high school team's final game had teammates and spectators at the edge of their seats. They were neck and neck against the opposing team, going all the way into a tie breaking shootout.

Before the tourna - ment, the team even welcomed some hockey players to bolster their numbers, showing them the ropes and working together to achieve great results. As for the junior high team, this is their first ever gold medal, and I am certain it won't be their last. The team was joined by players from École Van Belleghem, École Guyot and Shamrock School. It was wonderful to see a united team from the community play together so well and have fun doing it. Thank you so much to the coaches, parents, families and the school communities for supporting the players throughout the season.

I wish every player the very best during the off -season and the best of luck on future tryouts. I look forward to seeing bot h teams back on the ice next year. Bravo, Barracudas. Please join me in congratulating the 2023 Collège Béliveau Barracudas high school and junior high ringette teams on their gold medal wins. Introduction of Guests Madam Speaker: There are some guests in the gallery that I would like to introduce to you. We have members from the Manitoban combat community here today, who are the guests of the hon- ourable Minister for Sport, Culture and Heritage.

And also, I would like to draw the attention of all honourable members to the Speaker's Gallery, where we have with us today from the Legislative Assembly Visitor Tour Program, the 2023 summer tour guides: Nicholas Litardi, Leia Patterson and Marit Stokke, who are accompanied by Claire Normandeau and Emily Gray. And on behalf of all honour able members here, we welcome you to the Manitoba Legislature. ORAL QUESTIONS Health-Care System Nurse Staffing Levels Mr. Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): For seven years, the PCs have cut our healt h-care system.

The proof of this fact is right there in the numbers. Since they took office in 2016, there are 300 fewer nurses working at the bedside in Winnipeg. Of course, there have been reductions to the number of nurses in other health regions as well. And we see the impact right there at the beside. It's patients who are suffering because of this Premier's cuts to our health-care system. The situation is right- fully called a crisis. How does the Premier explain that she cut 300 nurses from the bedside in Winnipeg? Hon.

Heather Stefanson (Premier): Again, the Leader of the Opposi tion continues down the lane of false accusations.

2426 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 The fact of the matter is that we've had a 22 per cent increase in investments in our health-care system since we t ook office in 2016, a 9.2 per cent increase over last year –$668 million more into our health-care system. That is more, not less. And we are continuing, through our $200- million health human resources action plan, to make invest ments into 2,000 more health-care professionals; we're already over 900 of those, more than–almost 260 nurses alone. That's making significant progress.

We recognize there's more work to be done, and we'll continue to do that. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr. Kinew: Here's a fact, and it's the fact that the Premier has acknowl edged since we brought the numbers forward: there were 8,000 nurses working at the bedside when Brian Pallister was first elected; now, there are 7,700. That means that under Brian Pallister and this Stefanson government, they cut 300 nurses from the bedside here in Winnipeg, and it's patients who are dealing with the results.

Manitobans are paying more and getting less with the PCs because all they do is invest in the upper echelons of the health -care bureaucracy. It's time to reinvest in the front lines. How does the Premier explain that she's cut 300 nurses from the bedside in Winnipeg? Mrs. Stefanson: We will continue to make record investments in our health-care system, and this budget alone had more than $2 billion more than the NDP ever expended in health care when they were in office. We'll continue to make those invest ments in our health-care system.

As I mentioned earlier, w e are making progress through our health human resources action plan. We recognize there's a challenge with human resources; it's nothing unique to Manitoba. Right across our country, other provinces are having challenges as well. There is some thing tha t we have gone through between 2016 and now, Madam Speaker. It's called a worldwide pandemic. That created sig nificant chal - lenges within our health-care system. We'll continue to work with our front-line services to give them the supports that they ne ed, in way of recruitment, retention and training.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: The challenge with health human resources in Manitoba is that this Premier keeps cutting the number of nurses working at the bedside. There are 300 fewer. And here's the interesting thing: those cuts began years before the pandemic. They started cutting the number of nurses in 2016. They've cut it again in 2017. It's continued each and every year; we've pr oved this conclusively. So, again, it's an election year. They want to show up and make a few announcements, issue a few press releases.

Everyone in Manitoba knows that health care is in a state of crisis, and the cuts that they have made are at the very least partly responsible. So, given that these are the facts, how does the Premier explain her rationale for cutting 300 nursing jobs–people who were caring for patients at the bedside in Winnipeg? Mrs. Stefanson: We know that there's challenges within health care in the province of Manitoba, but also right across the country and in other countries around the world as a result of the worldwide pandemic.

But that's why we are taking positive action moving forward with a $200- million investment in a he alth human resources action plan that has resulted in more than 900 more health- care pro fessionals working in our front lines, including 259 more nurses. We recognize there's more work to be done; we'll continue to make sure that we make progress in this area. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a new question. Manitoba Public Insurance–Project Nova McKinsey Consultants–Contractual Obligations Mr.

Wab Kinew (Leader of the Official Opposition): The PCs have caused a cri sis at Manitoba Public Insurance. Under the Stefanson gov ernment, things have really gone off the rails, and it's Manitobans who are paying more as a result. New internal documents show just how bad things are. Now, the PCs hired Justin Trudeau's favourite con- sulting firm, McKinsey, to try and fix the problem that they them selves created when Project Nova went $200 million. * (14:10) The PCs decided to pay McKinsey $12 million, but new internal emails state that McKinsey is, quote,

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2427 not providing industry best practices, end quote, and that MPI is documenting, and I quote here, facts of the misses against the contract. I'll table the documents that prove the case. Why is the Premier paying $12 million to a company that is missing contractual obligations and that is not providing industry best practices? Hon. Heather Stefanson (Premier): Madam Speaker, Manitobans should know that we have taken action on–in this area for MPI.

We have made a directive to the board to ensure that there is a compet itive process when it comes to procurement of goods and services at MPI. There's been a number of other directives that have taken place to ensure that we're moving in the right direction. And we've also asked for an external organizational review to take place as well. So, we are taking action, Madam Speaker, unlike what the Leader of the Opposition claims. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Kinew: So, I just want to help explain to Manitobans and to the Cabinet ministers on the PC side who are being left in the dark here. This is about a contract that is open right now and that the PCs are pushing to have signed off on so that McKinsey can get paid. However, this email chain that I'm sharing with the public today shows that there are very serious concerns about the lack of work that McKinsey has done to earn that $12 million.

Again, the quotes there say that there has not been work delivered in consistent–being consistent with the terms of the contract, and that McKinsey is failing to abide by industry best practices. Again, the gov ernment brought in McKinsey to try and fix the mess that they created when Project Nova went $200 million over budget, and now they're pushing for McKinsey to get paid even though there are serious concerns about the work. How does the Premier rationalize this? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, again, Madam Speaker, as I stated in my previous answer, we have taken action.

We have provided the board with a directive to ensure that there is a competitive process when it comes to procurement of goods and services within MPI. I will also note and thank Dr. Sullivan, who was a previous board chair, and welcome in Ward Keith, who is our new board chair. We look forward to working closely with him moving forward. Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the Official Opposition, on a final supplementary. Mr. Kinew: So, Madam Speaker, the Premier acknowl- edges the chaos at Manitoba Public Insurance; the board chair resigned, P roject Nova is $200 million over budget.

And now the PCs are overseeing a situation where there's a push going on for McKinsey to be paid, even though serious concerns are being raised about their work–namely, that they are not following insurance industry best practices and that they're failing to meet the terms of their contract. This is an issue that's costing Manitobans money. You were supposed to get a reduction in your Autopac payments this year. Instead, because of PC mismanage- ment, you're faci ng a rate increase. Their chaos is costing you more.

The question remaining for the PC Premier to answer: Is she going to sign off on McKinsey getting paid in the face of these serious concerns about the quality and lack of work getting done at MPI? Mrs. Stefanson: Well, Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition should know that when the NDP was in power for 17 years, they did absolutely nothing to upgrade the infor mation tech nology at Manitoba Public Insurance. So, again, we continue to clean up the mess of the previous NDP government. But, Madam Speaker, I will also just say that I welcome Ward Keith to the role as–of board chair.

We know that he has past ex perience of more than three decades to Manitoba Public Insurance. We welcome his, you–his knowledge and expertise in these areas and we look forward to working closely with him. Manitoba Public Insurance–Project Nova McKinsey Consultants–Contractual Obligations Mr. Matt Wiebe (Concordia): Details continue to emerge about how this PC government's reckless mismanagement of MPI and how it's affecting Manitobans' rate that they're paying on their Autopac. We've been raising this issue about this crisis at MPI in the House for months, but the Premier has refused to take action.

Now we've learned that the private consulting firm McKinsey is not meeting their obligations under

2428 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 a $12- million contract awarded by this PC gov ern- ment. I'll table the emails from MPI once again, for the Premier's (Mrs. Stefanson) benefit. Accountability starts at the top, Madam Speaker. Will the Premier explain why she is paying $12 million to a company that is not living up to the terms of its contract? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Acting Minister responsible for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation ): Certainly we won't take any lessons on working with Crown corporations from the NDP, Madam Speaker.

We know the mess that they left behind after 17 years of doing absolutely nothing. We know that MPI staff were working on spread- sheets–manual spreadsheets–for years, and asked for upgrades and tech nology, Madam Speaker. We're bringing them out of the 1970s. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a supplementary question. Mr. Wiebe: Well, let's review the events of just the past week for the minister, Madam Speaker. We raised this in the House, that the PCs' hand- picked MPI CEO got not one, but two raises, and racked up $88,000 in travel expenses.

Then the MPI board chair quit, the one who signed off on all of those decisions. And now, we 're finding out that the PCs are paying an outside consultant, McKinsey, $12 million for work that's not meeting the terms of their contract and is not provi ding best practices. The PC gov ern- ment has clearly lost control of the situation at MPI. Why is the Premier paying millions to a company that is not meeting their terms of their contract, and will she call a meeting of the MPI committee today? Mr.

Wharton: I know one meeting that should've been called–and it was called by the opposi tion back in the 2000s, Madam Speaker–and that was a meeting to find out why the NDP government at the time were spending over $4 billion over budget on Bipole III and Keeyask. We know that the NDP mismanage all of the Crown corporations, including Manitoba Hydro and MPI. [interjection] The member from Fort Rouge continues to heckle me; he knows it's true. Maybe should get up and admit it. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Concordia, on a final supplementary. Mr.

Wiebe: Madam Speaker, Manitobans deserve to know why they're not getting value for their money. Project Nova costs have ballooned $200 million over budget at the same time that the PCs' hand -picked CEO received two raises and racked up $88,000 in travel costs. And now the Premier is paying an addi tional $12 million to a company that isn't even meeting its contractual obligations. Manitobans deserve to know why this PC government's mismanagement is pushing their Autopac rates higher and higher every year. MPI is in crisis, Madam Speaker.

Will the Premier just take some account ability and call an MPI com mittee meeting today, so that Manitobans can finally get some answers? Mr. Wharton: Again, I'll remind the member, over the year '21 -22, over $180 million in rebates were provided to Manitoba ratepayers, Madam Speaker, by MPI. We know that during a very tough time in Manitoba and across the world, Madam Speaker, that rebate was very welcome. We will continue to work with Manitoba Public Insurance –and again, let the PUB determine the rates going forward.

Madam Speaker, we have taken action and pro - vided a min isterial directive to control tendered and untendered contracts, and also ordered an organiza - tional review: nothing that the NDP would do. We guarantee you they would never even work towards a review going forward. [interjection] Thank goodness the member from Fort Rouge can't get up. Security of Staff at Health Sciences Centre Request to Use Institutional Safety Officers MLA Uzoma Asagwara (Union Station): Madam Speaker, everyo ne knows the PCs have failed to support health- care workers in Manitoba.

They've mandated them to work overtime while short-staffed, and they've cut their funding. * (14:20) And they've failed to take action to keep them safe at their workplaces. Health Sciences Centre nurses and employees are speaking out, because they're worried about their safety at work. We know the PCs have the tools to help these nurses and staff be safer at HSC. They could follow through on their promise, just as one example, to hire institutional safety officers.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2429 Will the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) commit to doing so today? Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): Madam Speaker, Manitobans have been forced to hear the Leader of the Opposition talk about health care in the province of Manitoba these last few months; and I must say, what a disappointment. He wants to take an ideological approach over the care of patients. He wants to cease funding to hun- dreds of agency nurses. He wants to cancel tens of thousands of surgerie s, leaving Manitobans in pain and suffering.

Can the member for Union Station explain how Manitoban patients benefit from this ideological ap - proach of their leader? Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a supplementary question. MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, the Health Minister will soon enough be the one asking questions. But right now, HSC employees are speaking out. They say they don't feel safe at work and they don't feel safe walking to and from–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. MLA Asagwara: –their cars.

The Manitoba Nurses Union says they receive complaints daily and that morale is low due to reports of vehicle break-ins and fears of being attacked. These are really serious concerns, Madam Speaker, yet the PCs have not made this a priority. Will the Premier prioritize safety at HSC and finally follow through on her gov ernment's commit- ments–their own promise–and hire institutional safety officers? Ms.

Gordon: Madam Speaker, last August, at a public Talk Tuesdays interview, a nurse from ARNM questioned the fantastical ideas brought forward by the member for Union Station: Where are you going to get the money to fund all of your ideas? Where is the money to make it happen? Do you want to know what their response was , Madam Speaker? What the NDP plan for health care is? The money is there; we have all the money we need, said the member for Union Station. They have no clue, Madam Speaker, and no plan. Shame on them. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Union Station, on a final supplementary.

MLA Asagwara: Madam Speaker, nurse morale at HSC has reached new lows thanks to the safety issues that these nurses are reporting on a daily basis. This is a direct quote, Madam Speaker: I feel unsafe all the time. This has been the worst year I have ever experienced at HSC. End quote. This is from a nurse with 22 years of experience at HSC. The PCs could take real, concrete actions to im - prove safety at HSC by following through on their own promise to hire insti tutional safety officers.

Yet they failed to hire even a single ISO, making it very clear that this isn't a safety–the safety of these nurses isn't a priority for them. Will this Premier and this Health Minister finally do the right thing and prioritize the sa fety of nurses and staff at Health Sciences Centre? Ms. Gordon: Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, unlike members opposite, we have a plan. We don't rely on magic wands.

We don't believe that status quo is enough and we are continuing to make historical investments in health care: 9.2 per cent increase in the Health budget to $8 billion since the member for Union Station made the statement I earlier placed on the record. That is the highest budget increase in the history of the province and the l argest single investment –$2 billion more, Madam Speaker, than members 'opprosite'–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Gordon: –ever did. Manitobans who–know who to trust, Madam Speaker. Recent Anti-LGBTQ2S/Anti-Inclusive Events Request for Government to Condemn Ms.

Lisa Naylor (Wolseley): Today is the international day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. And just this past week, here in Manitoba, we have seen attempts to ban books with 2SLGBTQ+ content, as well as a targeted attack on an elementary school stealing their Pride flag and a collection of inclusive books. Anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric is dangerous and this whole House should present a united front in con- demning it. But we are still waiting for the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) to do so.

2430 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 The Premier keeps telling us how she supports the 2SLGBTQ+ community, so will she stand up today and condemn these recent events? Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning): And the member's question in regards to the books and the flag, Madam Speaker, myself and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning is definitely in touch with the Seven Oaks School Division and we're monitoring the situation. The incidents of the school division have bee n reported to the police and an investigation is ongoing.

Madam Speaker: The honour able member for Wolseley, on a supplementary question. Ms. Naylor: It's clear that the government isn't all on the same page when it comes to protecting human rights. Yesterday, the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage said that there is no book ban in this province, but the Premier said it is up to schools, and today we hear that the Minister of Edu cation is monitoring the situation. So, lots of different thoughts and ideas on that side of the House. [interjection] And lots of heckling.

I'm just going to say that this government loves to speak on the topic of LGBTQ rights, but they sure don't want it to go on and on. They don't want it to take up any more of their time today or be accountable for it. Madam Speaker, hard-won human rights must not be– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Obby Khan (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): Madam Speaker, I want to be very clear when I say this: We, and everyone on this side of the House, condemn acts of violence and hate towards anyone in Manitoba, including the 2SLGBTQI com - munity in Manitoba. We condemn all hate crimes.

I want to be very clear on that. Now–now you know where I and we stand. Can the Leader of the Opposition stand up and say the same thing? Oh, no, wait; he can't, because I will quote, and I will table: Is going to wrestling class because jujitsu wasn't gay enough? We have a saying in jujitsu, and I quote: it's only gay if you make eye contact. My bro is convinced, do you like the '90s, is a gay pick-up line. Will the Leader of the Op position stand up and apologize for his homophobic hate comments today in this House? Some Honourable Members: Oh, oh. Madam Speaker: Order.

The honourable member for Wolseley, on a final supplementary. Ms. Naylor: I am so grateful to live in a country where people can learn and grow and develop new ideas over time, but I–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Ms. Naylor: –also want to live in a province where the–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. I'm going to call members to order. Ms. Naylor: I ap preciate that people's views can change and grow over time, and I celebrate that. But I want to see a gov ernment of this pr ovince who can take a clear stance and take action.

Madam Speaker, $600 of inclusive books were stolen from a classroom, along with the school's Pride flag and pole, and a homophobic letter was left. This was a clear, deliberate and targeted attack. It's 2023 and we're still having to stand up to talk about banning books. We want urgent action. We want a premier that can say no to homophobia. Will the Premier commit today to taking– Madam Speaker: The member's time has expired. Hon. Rochelle Squires (Minister of Families): My arrogance is a virtue; it keeps me controversial. That is a lyric from the Leader of the Official Op position (Mr.

Kinew), and nowhere was that sentiment more on display yesterday than when he got up in the House and said, whe n we're talking about human rights, where we are today is the same place that we've always been. * (14:30) Madam Speaker, that is an atrocious statement from a man who started his career, who launched his career, on misogynistic and homophobic attacks. Will the member of opposite retract his statement yesterday and recognize that where he was yesterday is not where he ought to be today? Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin Delay in Outlet Channel Construction Mr.

Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): The PCs keep trying to ignore the channels project and instead just hope that it doesn't flood again, and Manitobans know they have failed.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2431 They have failed to even start construction, despite promising in 2016 to build it within one term. And here we are now at the end of their second term, and communities continue to wait for this essential flood protection. Can the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) explain: Why has she failed to even start construction on the channels project? [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Hon.

D oyle Piwniuk (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure): If the member would only go to his coalition government when it comes to Singh and Trudeau, to tell them that we need this channel approved, because we're waiting now for environ - mental study that's being done right now, Madam Speaker. And we are actually ready to do construction any day now, but we're just waiting for this member to go talk to his colleague at the –in Ottawa, to make sure that he passes this licensing, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a supplementary question. Mr.

Bushie: In 2016, the PCs promised to build a channels project within one term. That didn't happen. They blame their failure on ongoing consul ta- tions, yet just last year, they admitted they had–and I fill–fallen short in our responsi bilities, end quote, to properly consult with Indigenous com munities. And now, months later, here we are still no progress what- soever on the channels project. Can the Premier explain: Wh y has she failed to start construction on a channels project despite having two terms and seven years? Mr.

Piwniuk: Well, Madam Speaker, again, I said in Estimates that we're waiting for the federal gov ern- ment to do the actual approval of this channel. The thing is, Madam Speaker, when the NDP were in gov ernment in 2011, they made the emergency channel that actually was what–environmental disaster. We're here to make sure that we consult with our First Nation com munities, making sure that the pro- ject is got–be–going forward on this and making sure that we have opportunities for First Nations to partici- pate in the contracts when it comes to the channels.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Keewatinook, on a final supplementary. Mr. Bushie: It's clear the PCs' approach to the chan - nels project is to deflect, blame and avoid account - ability. They've misled Manitobans by blaming delays on consultation with Indigenous com munities–which, I might add, a Manitoba judge ruled they failed t o do. They blame the federal gov ernment; it's all blame, blame and deflect from this PC gov ernment, yet Manitobans know this failure is the PCs' and the PCs' alone. Can the Premier explain: Why has she failed to make the Lake St.

Martin -Lake Manitoba channel project a priority in her two terms and seven years? Mr. Piwniuk: Well, Madam Speaker, I'm not quite sure what the member from Keewatinook has going on here. When it comes to us consulting with First Nations, they actually interfere with First Nations and say how this project isn't right. And then when–then the thing is, and then they say, well, this project is so important when it comes to protec tion of the First Nation communities. Madam Speaker, we're actually consulting with First Nations communities.

We're actually saying that this is so important to Manitobans, for all Manitobans, when it comes to First Nations, to 'everywuddy' that's in the Interlake. And we're going to be doing this job, and we're going to get it done. He can go to his leader of the NDP government–NDP leader, and talk to–about him getting this licence approved, Madam Speaker. Book Bans and Accusations Against Public Servants Request for Government to Condemn Mr. Dougald Lamont (St. Boniface): We should all be able to agree that the tactics around book banning in Brandon a week ago were completely unacceptable.

Teachers and librarians are facing flat-out lies that could be life- and career-ruining. Unwarranted accusa- tions of being complicit with horrific crimes and being publicly shamed by people, who are absolutely care - less and reckless and have no regard for the truth or who gets hurt. I'll tell you the hypocrisy at the heart of this: the same materials that are considered corrupting or even criminal in a school library suddenly become harmless when they're read aloud at a school board meeting by the person accusing them.

2432 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 There are basic rights school boards don't get to take away. Why won't the Premier (Mrs. Stefanson) make that clear today? Hon. Obby Khan (Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage): I want to reiterate to everyone that there is no book banning happening in Manitoba. This gov - ernment is not –support of book ban; we are against book banning. And we stand in condemning any sort of acts of hatred or violence towards any community, including the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. I'll also let the member from St.

Boniface know that under the Manitoba libraries public act, library boards are the author ity for gov ernance and procedures of public libraries. We don't set that policy here, Madam Speaker. We heard from Manitobans that Manitobans want local autonomy. That's what we heard loud and clear, so they can locally control their books in their libraries, and that's what we stand for. Thank you. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Boniface, on a supplementary question. Mr. Lamont: The government has been dancing around this by saying there is no book ban, when there's another meeting planned to have one.

There's a very big reason we need to guard against this, because this is all about crushing com munities out of existence, and Manitoba and Canada have a very dark history of extreme movements. And that history may have been forgotten or buried, but this is an assault on local democracy and freedom of speech, and this is an old playbook because this is how religious extremists conspired to crush French Catholic schools in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, by claiming children weren't safe. It was a lie then; it's a lie now.

This is not going to stop unless we make it absolutely clear that tactics like those used by the book banners–telling monstrous lies about people who are completely innocent –that it's not acceptable. Why won't the Premier do that? Mr. Khan: I'm glad I could stan d up again, and just further reiterate what the message we've been saying: there is no book ban in Manitoba. There may be a secret meeting behind a building, under a staircase to talk about book banning. We are not supporting a book ban. We are not –there is no book ban in Manitoba. Madam Speaker, public libraries are for every - one.

We do not approve, endorse, restrict or deny access to any public library material. I'm not sure how many more times I can say it, how much more clearer I can say it, but I'll try it once again: There is no book ban in Manitoba. Thank you. Violent Crime Rates in Manitoba Request for Plan to Address Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): Last night, an individual in Tyndall Park was robbed and left with numerous injuries. This is one of many public safety issues happening in Manitoba. In fact, according to the most recent statistical report by the Winnipeg Police Service, a violent crime happens every 13.4 hours.

Madam Speaker, the provincial government has a responsibility towards public safety, and to date it is clear that this gov ernment hasn't done enough, as violent crime continues across the province. What concrete steps is this government taking to address violent crime rates, and what advice do they have for families who have been affected by such crime under their watch? Hon. Jeff Wharton (Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General ): This gov ernment continues to invest in police and police resources.

Madam Speaker, $54 million in crime strategy in Budget 2023; more than $3 million for the integrated violent offender apprehension unit; $4.1 million for 10 new prosecutors for gang violence and organized crime; over $2 million for the chronic missing persons unit; over $2 million for the child abuse investigation unit. This side of the House will continue to invest in policing, unlike the NDP, that want to defund it. Surgical Capacity and Specialist Recruitment Government Update Mr.

Andrew Micklefield (Rossmere): While the NDP continues to politicize health care in Manitoba, our government is focused on patients and increasing surgical capacity within our health-care system.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2433 That is why our government launched a Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force, and over the last two years, has inv ested over a quarter of a billion dollars to help Manitobans get much- needed scans, diagnostics and surgical procedures. Because of these invest ments, Boundary Trails was able to complete 639 hip and knee re placement surgeries, 139 more than planned. Can the minister detail for us these ad ditional surgical progress and recruitment efforts? * (14:40) Hon. Audrey Gordon (Minister of Health): I thank the member for Rossmere for the question.

As Manitoba's head of surgery, Dr. Ed Buchel said this week: we're above 2019 numbers. That's no small feat. We're recruiting and retaining net positive numbers of surgical specialists. Our numbers are going up. Surgeons are coming to our province in spite of signi- ficant recruitment in BC, Alberta and Ontario. We're net positive year over year in terms of our recruitment. We are recruiting cardiac surgeons, thoracic surgeons and we're being successful at doing these.

And, Madam Speaker, high-end specialties are getting more people to come to Manitoba, because we're developing an environment that is enticing for them. Thank you. RRC Polytech and Assiniboine Community College Possibility of Collective Strike Action Mr. Jamie Moses (St. Vital): Madam Speaker, the PC government continues to fail workers at Manitoba's colleges and universities. They've cut their budgets. They've failed to give them a fair deal.

They've already caused not one but two strikes at the University of Manitoba, and now staff at Red River College Polytechnic and Assiniboine Community College are being forced to consider striking. Can the minister explain why she has failed to support Manitoba's post-secondary institutions and its workers? Hon. Sarah Guillemard (Minister of Advanced Education and Training): I think I'll start with putting some facts on the record, which I know confused members of the opposite–opposition. This year, we will be investing over $820 million in post -secondary edu cation.

Every post -secondary institute received an increase in funding in this year's budget alone. The member opposite does not have his facts straight, but I'm happy to clarify for him on the record. Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Vital, on a supplementary question. Mr. Moses: Madam Speaker, one thing that we're clear about on this side of the House is that Manitoba's colleges and universities–their workers deserve respect. For seven years, the PCs have not learned that, and they quite frankly do the opposite.

They've continually disrespected colleges by cutting their budgets–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Moses: –and refusing to give their workers a fair deal. They've backtracked on programs, forcing Assiniboine Com munity College to pick up a $300,000 tab for nursing diploma program. And a result of all this, the staff at Red River College Polytechnic and ACC are beginning to consider strike action. Now, can the minister explain for us today why she is failing the workers of colleges and failing to let them bargain fairly? Mrs.

Guillemard: I know that the member opposite and I have had this discussion in the Chamber before. The employers and the employees right now are in the process of the collective bargaining negotiations. That happens between the employer and the employee. Now, the me mber opposite might be confused about this process. I'm happy to sit down with him if he wants to discuss further so he can understand it. We are not the employers, Madam Speaker. That is between the post-secondary institutes and the employees, and they ar e actively engaging in those negotiations with the students' best interests in mind.

I don't know if the member opposite has the stu - dents' best interests in mind, but I hope he gets there at some point. [interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. The honourable member for St. Vital, on a final supplementary. Mr. Moses: It's simple, Madam Speaker: colleges and their workers want and deserve respect. They're not getting it from this government. They do critical work of training the future workers in our province–the workers our province needs –and

2434 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 they play an im portant role in com munities across Manitoba. Yet, the PCs refuse to recog nize this and disrespect them since they came in to office, forcing staff at RRC Polytechnic and ACC to consider strike action. Just this week, in addition to all that, we learned that the PC government broke another promise and is leaving ACC with a $300,000 bill. And so, I'll ask the minister again: Can the minis- ter explain why she was refusing to respect the workers at colleges in Manitoba and allowing them to bargain fairly? Mrs.

Guillemard: Previously when the member rose and asked questions again about the collective bargaining process, I suggested if he wanted to be involved, the Chamber is not the appropriate place to become involved. He can resign his seat; he can apply for a position as an employer or an employee at a post -secondary institute. Clearly he has not followed that advice. Madam Speaker, I will table today the application form so that if he wants to be an employer or an employee and be involved in negotiations, he's free to do so. Madam Speaker: The time for oral questions has expired. PETITIONS Louise Bridge Mr.

Jim Maloway (Elmwood): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. The background of this petition is as follows:

(1) Over 25,000 vehicles per day cross the Louise Bridge, which has served as a vital link for vehicular traffic between northeast Winnipeg and the downtown for the last 110 years.

(2) The current structure will undoubtedly be declared unsafe in a few years as it deteriorated extensively, becoming functionally obsolete, subject to more frequent unplanned repairs, and cannot be widened to accommodate future traffic capacity. (3)–[interjection] Madam Speaker: Order. Mr. Maloway: As far back as 2008, the City of Winnipeg, City, has studied where the new re place- ment bridge should be situated.

(4) After including the bridge replacement in the City's five-year capital budget forecast i n 2009, the new bridge became a short-term construction priority in the City's transportation master plan of 2011.

(5) City capital and budget plans identified re - placement of the Louise Bridge on a site just east of the bridge and expropriated homes there on the south side of Nairn Avenue in anticipation of a 2015 start.

(6) In 2014, the new City adminis tration did not make use of available federal infrastructure funds.

(7) The new Louise Bridge Com mittee began its campaign to demand a new bridge and its survey con- firmed that residents wanted the new bridge beside the current bridge, with the old bridge kept open for local traffic.

(8) The NDP provincial government signalled its firm commitment to partner with the City on replacing the Louise Bridge in its 2015 Throne Speech. Unfor - tunately, provincial infrastructure initiatives, such as the new Louise Bridge, came to a halt with the election of the Progressive Conservative government in 2016.

(9) More recently, the City tethered th e Louise Bridge replacement issue to the new trans portation master plan and eastern corridor project. Its recom- mendations have now identified the location of the new Louise Bridge to be placed just to the west of the current bridge, not to the east as was originally proposed.

(10) The City expropriation process has begun. The $6.35-million street upgrade of Nairn Avenue from Watt Street to the 111-year-old bridge is complete.

(11) The new Premier has a duty to direct the provincial government to provide financial assistance to the City so it can complete this long overdue vital link to northeast Winnipeg and Transcona. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the new Premier to financially assist the City of Winnipeg on building this three-lane bridge in each direction to maintain this vital link between northeast Winnipeg, Transcona and the downtown.

(2) To urge the provincial government to recom- mend that the City of Winnipeg keep the old bridge fully open to traffic while the new bridge is under con- struction, and

(3) To urge the provincial government to consider the feasibility of keeping the old Louise Bridge open for active transportation in the future. This petition is signed by many, many Manitobans.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2435 Health-Care Coverage MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): I wish to present the following petition to the Legislative Assembly. To the Legis lative Assembly of Manitoba, the background for this petition is as follows:

(1) Health care is a basic h uman right and a fundamental part of responsible public health. Many people in Manitoba are not covered by provincial health care: migrant workers with permits of less than one year, international students and those undocu- mented residents who have lost t heir status for a variety of reasons. * (14:50)

(2) Racialized people and communities are disproportionately affected by the pandemic, mainly due to the social and economic conditions which leave them vulnerable while performing essential work in a variety of industries in Manitoba.

(3) Without adequate health-care coverage, if they are ill, many of the uninsured will avoid seeking health care due to fear of being charged for the care, and some will fear possible detention and deportation if their immigration status is reported to the authorities.

(4) According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, denying essential health care to undocu - mented irregular migrants is a violation of their rights.

(5) Jurisdictions across Canada and the world have adopted access-without-fear policies to prevent sharing personal health information or immigration status with immigration authorities and to give uninsured residents the confidence to access health care.

(6) The pandemic has clearly identified the need for everyone in Manitoba to have access to health care to protect the health and safety of all who live in the province. We petition the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as follows:

(1) To urge the provincial government to imme - diately provide comprehens ive and free health -care coverage to all residents of Manitoba, regardless of immigration status, including refugee claimants, migrant workers, international students, dependent children of temporary residents and undocumented residents.

(2) To urge the minister of Health and seniors care to undertake a multilingual communication campaign to provide information on expanded coverage to all affected residents.

(3) To urge the minister of Health and seniors care to inform all health-care institutions and providers of expanded coverage for those without health insurance and the details on how necessary policy and protocol changes will be implemented.

(4) To urge the minister of Health and seniors care to create and enforce strict confidentiality policies and provide staff with training to protect the safety of residents with precarious immigration status and en- sure they can access health care without jeopardizing their ability to remain in Canada. This has been signed by Eric Johnson, Hannah Belec and Patri ck McConahy [phonetic] , and many other Manitobans. Thank you. Madam Speaker: I should have indicated that in accordance with our rule 133(6), when petitions are read they are deemed to be received by the House. Grievances?

ORDERS OF THE DAY GOVERNMENT BUSINESS Hon. Derek Johnson (Acting Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, for gov ernment business this afternoon, can you please call the following bills for third reading debate: bills 25, 36, 29, 21, and 22. Madam Speaker: It has been announced t hat the House will consider concurrence and third readings of bills 25, 36, 29, 21, 22.

CONCURRENCE AND THIRD READINGS Bill 25–The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Wildfire Firefighters) Madam Speaker: I will therefore start by calling concurrence and third reading of Bill 25, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Wildfire Firefighters). Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I move, seconded by the Minister of Environment and Climate (Mr. Klein), that Bill 25, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, wildfire fighters; Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les accidents du travail (pompiers affectés aux incendies échappés), reported from the standing com mittee of Legis lative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed.

2436 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 Madam Speaker: It has been moved by the honour- able Minister of Labour and Immigration, seconded by the honour able Minister of Environment and Climate, that Bill 25, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Wildfire Firefighters), reported from the Standing Com mittee on Legis lative Affairs, be concurred in and be now read for a third time and passed. Mr. Reyes: I'm pleased to rise again to provide com- ments on Bill 25. I'll be brief, as many of the points were mentioned during second reading and at committee.

This bill will include wildfire fire fighters within the presumptive cancer and heart injury provisions of The Workers Compensation Act. Currently, these provisions only apply to urban firefighters and Office of the Fire Com missioner personnel. Wildfire fire fighters are currently not in - cluded within the presumptive cancer and heart injury provisions of the act. Currently, in order for the presumption to apply, a firefighter must have been regularly exposed to the hazards of a fire scene other than a forest fire.

The proposed amendments will remove this exception and will add a definition of wildfire fire fighter to the presumptive provisions of the act in order to ensure the risks associated with the role of wildfire firefighter are equally recognized. I want to thank the im portant role that front -line workers play, including wildfire fire fighters. We value their efforts and acknowl edge their role has become increasingly critical. And, just recently, a group of Manitoba firefighters arrived to support the wildfire fight in Alberta.

Manitoba is proud to lend its support and resources to our neigh- bours in Alberta during this unpre cedented start to their fire season. As we see in other provinces and in Manitoba, whether it is due to climate change or a changing environment, the number and size of wildfires are increasing. Wildfire seasons are going longer, and wildfire firefighters are more often being called upon to assist other jurisdictions in their firefighting efforts.

I also want to thank Kevin Rebeck of the Manitoba Federation of Labour and Kyle Ross of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union for their full support on this bill. I know that with these legis lative changes, Manitoba will be a leader for other jurisdictions. This legislation aligns us with our counterparts in British Columbia and some other juris dictions around the world that has moved to include wildfire fire fighters within Workers Compensation presumptive cancer provisions.

Going forward, wildfire fire fighters who submit workplace injury and illness claims to the Workers Compensation Board relating to the cancers and heart injuries prescribed under the act will benefit from the same stream lined adjudicative pro cess available to other types of firefighters. As a result, the bill puts all firefighters on equal footing. Thank you, Madam Speaker. MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): Before I begin my remarks on this bill, I just wanted to use this opportunity to raise some concerns that were recently brought forward to me by members of the Manitoba Wildfire Service.

They were relayed to me by Andy Regier, a research officer with the Manitoba Govern- ment and General Employees' Union. Some of the members of the Wildfire Service have raised issues such as the lack of pay equality with other workers in similar agencies across Canada. This is a concern that we would like the minister to address. Also, issues including staff retention and recruit- ment have also–affecting our whole province and the whole country, but it's parti cularly of acute concern for members of our Manitoba Wildfire Service.

In addition, another concern that was recently raised to me was an aging water bomber fleet that des- perately needs replacing. Again, I'd like to raise this issue here in the House. And last, some –more compensation and accom - modations for the long hours and terrible condi tions, which is the everyday norm that many of our Manitoba wildfire service members are experiencing. This is what they would like to convey here as part of our debate here, as we have this opportunity to discuss their working condi tions due to this bill that the minister has brought forward.

The purpose of Bill 25, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, wildfire fighters –the purpose is to amend The Workers Compensation Act and to extend its presumptions to wildfire fire fighters. Bill 25 will ensure that wildfire fire fighters are treated equal to other fire fighters in Manitoba unde r The Workers Compensation Act. And I do remember that it was around this time last year that we did expand The Workers Compensation Act

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2437 to include a list of more carcinogens and different types of cancers to be included as part of the presumptive coverage for WCB for fire fighters here that work in construction and buildings. At this time, I'd also just really put my heart out there for the families and also to the many members of the wildfire services in Alberta and in the neighbouring provinces, as 30,000 people and counting are being displaced currently due to wildfires that are ravaging parts of Alberta. We know that Alberta is currently in a state of emergency.

Firefighters are currently responding to 100 active wildfire fighters – wildfires, rather. * (15:00) And, you know, we're proud of –that we do have one group from the Manitoba Wildfire Service, a group of eight members of the Wildfire Service that have arrived at the base in Lac la Biche in Alberta.

This eight personnel are–and including with some of our tankers, are doing their best to also assist in the fire mitigation efforts there in that province and are–I know every single member here in the Legislature and all our fellow Manitobans are there because we know that this is extremely dang erous work, it's very, very important work, and we're very grateful for the sacrifice and the skill that these members are putting forward in order to fight these fires and protect people, livelihood, property and more across Alberta.

When fire fighters suffer from certain types of cancers or heart injuries, the fire fighter presumption allows them to establish that their cancer or injury is work-related. Currently, this presumption does not apply to wildland firefighters. Mr. Dennis Smook, Acting Speaker, in the Chair Bill 25 proposes that illnesses and injuries presumed to be caused by firefighting and covered by The Workers Compensation Act will now include those who battle wildfires.

Terms from The Workers Compensation Act like full-time firefighter or a part- time firefighter will be substituted with full-time, part- time or wildlife firefighter. The term wildfire fire fighter refers to a worker employed to supress or extinguish wildfires and who is not a full-time firefighter, a part-time firefighter or a member of OFC personnel.

Under the current act, if firefighters or Office of the Fire Commissioner personnel are diagnosed with one of 19 designated cancers or suffer a heart injury within 24 hours of responding to an emergency, the act presumes that this to be –that this would be a work -related illness or injury: that's from Fire Fighting in Canada , in an

article dated March 18, 2023. Through the inclusion of the definition of wildfire fighter to the fire fighter presumption, compensati on will apply equally now to all fire fighters. Over time, as science has progressed and technology has advanced, we have learned more about the greater risk our fire - fighters take on each and every day. Wildfire firefighters are not left out of this risk, as wildfires have increased at a rate of 3 per cent over the last two decades.

In fact, the number of wildfires has been predicted to rise by 50 per cent by 2100 as a result of climate change, and that's from the UN Environment Programme. Yet, wildfire fire fighters are not included in the current Workers Compensation Act. Wildfire fighters– wildfire firefighters deserve to be compensated com - mensurate to the risk that they are exposed to for the safety of citizens. They work amidst the most dangerous gases and fumes, and these gases and fumes have the potential to cause long-term harm to their health. Now, cancer is the leading cause of fatalities among firefighters in Canada.

It's estimated that about 50 firefighters out of 100,000 die of cancer each year, and that's 50 too many. Fire fighters have up to six times greater exposures to carcinogens than the rest of the population, and these carcinogens include poly - cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, diesel engine exhaust, ethylbenzene, solar radiation, formaldehyde and polychlorinated biphenyls. Wildfire firefighters are also exposed to heavy muscle work, extreme temperatures, sympathetic ner- vous system activation and are at similar risk as regular firefighters of suffering from heart injury.

Therefore, they should receive the same treatment. And while advancements have been made to The Workers Compensation Act throughout the years, many women found that the cancers they were being diagnosed with were not recognized, forcing them t o fight for coverage while they were ill. But fires that wildfire firefighters fight don't know gender. It affects whomever is exposed to the toxic smoke, and that is why it is so im portant to grow the list of presumptive coverage.

While protecting women currently in the field, expanding coverage to wildfire firefighting could make firefighting a more appealing career to enter into for folks, knowing that if one day they become diagnosed or, sadly, succumb to cancer, they would be rightfully recognized and compensated.

2438 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 The Manitoba NDP has always supported legis - lation which ensures the welfare of all firefighters and workers in Manitoba. We have a history of supporting Manitoba's hard -working fire fighters through The Workers Compensation Act. In 2002, Manitoba became the first jurisdiction in Canada, under an NDP government, to enact presump- tive workers compensation coverage for cancers among fire fighters, meaning that fire fighters with these cancers would not have to prove the illness is caused by their work.

Since that time, the presumption has been expanded to include many types of cancer, as well as heart conditions. And while we were in govern ment, the NDP launched a com prehensive review of The Workers Compensation Act to ensure that it was continually meeting the needs of both workers and employers in Manitoba's changing workplaces. And, of course, as more science and evidence develops, we will have to continually be updating WCB presumptive coverage.

We passed legis lation that supports fire fighters, paramedics, nurses and other front -line workers suf - fering from PTSD and, in 2016, our groundbreaking changes to The Workers Compensation Act made PTSD coverage accessible to all workers under the act. This was first -in-Canada legis lation, and it provided the avenue for all workers who have experienced traumatic events in the workplace to access the support that they need to heal and to get back to work.

We also updated the workplace safety and health amendment act to include workplace harassment, to ensure that employers have the training to stop harass- ment and provide support to the victim. In 2011, we made it mandatory for employers in the specific risk industry sectors with an elevated risk of potential violenc e to implement violence -preven- tion policies. And these sectors include health care, security, police, corrections, crisis counselling and intervention, financial, pharmacy, education, public transit and taxicab services.

In conclusion, the Manitoba NDP–we're here com- mitted to the safety of all workers in our province and, therefore, to–all the presumptions that apply to fire - fighters under The Workers Compensation Act should include wildfire firefighters as well. Our wild land fire fighters fac e hazards every single day. They're facing hazards as we speak. As we're here meeting in the Legislature today, they're facing those hazards.

And Bill 25 shows that we recognize these hazards and that we are committed to all firefighters' long-term health as they continually work to keep our province safe and, in this current case, also to keep Alberta safe. And while this current bill is a positive step that we are supporting and it's a positive step forward in providing protection to wildfire firefighters and their loved ones if they fall ill, it is im portant that more continues to be done, including funding research into developing better protective gear for first responsers– responders, so that no one falls victim to cancer.

It's–this is an important day for wildfire fire - fighters across Manitoba, and I am proud to see all of us come together to pass this very important bill. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Ms. Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park): I'm happy to rise this afternoon and just put a few words on record with respect to Bill 25, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the bill itself is fairly straight- forward, and I do see it as a–being a positive step going forward, but it's just starting to scratch the surface.

Before we–getting into further details of what we could be doing here in the province of Manitoba, I do want to express that I really ap preciate the depart - mental staff for taking the time to meet with us for this legislation. I know, for myself, it helped build a much stronger under standing of what our wildfire fire - fighters do here in the province of Manitoba just as far as their role goes as well as what they're exposed to. And I'm just exceptionally grateful for the work they do in pr otecting us here in Manitoba, Mr.

Deputy Speaker. * (15:10) Manitoba has some incredibly bad wildfires, and– just last year, as an example, over 2,000 evacuees fled Mathias Colomb Cree Nation after people were forced to leave their homes. And this fire in particular was approximately 23,000 hectares in size, and it's been noted that many ad ditional firefighters were actually called in for help. And want to thank those firefighters, as well, for coming in to help in our province of Manitoba. It's one of the great things about Canada: we pull together when we need to and we do every thing we can to protect each other in all situations. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I also recognize that a lot is happening in Canada right now with respect to smoke

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2439 and wildfires and we're all watching it. I know I've seen many of my colleagues, too–there's the app right now on our phones that actually shows the smoke coming over the provinces and I think it's something we need to be very attentive to. And I want to stand strong with our wildfire firefighters as they prepare and they start– they continue to work to protect us. Again, this piece of legislation is a step toward pro- viding more supports, but there's so much more we can be doing. We can be talking about better pa y equality for wildfire firefighters, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, and we can be talking about better mental health supports. This is an issue they have also brought forward to many of the MLAs here in the House. And I always like to use this as an opportunity to bring up the importance of regulating psychotherapy, Mr. Deputy Speaker. If we were to regulate psycho - therapy here in the province of Manitoba, it would make it more acces sible to those who are wanting to use different forms of talk therapy, for example.

It would ensure that it is affordable and that we have the therapists on site to be able to work with those who would like to access therapy, and it would also ensure that those who are practising therapy are properly trained to do so. It's extremely important that those, when they are meeting with someone in relation to mental health, that they are properly trained to do so. And currently, in Manitoba, it's not regulated. So, that's something that our Province could work towards that would have a positive effect in helping our fire - fighters, as well, and people of all trades, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Again, we're paying very close attention to the fires and smoke as of right now, and ultimately my hope is that this legislation is just the starting point, as I know all of us here in the House are very grateful for our fire fighters, and there's much more we can be doing. Thank you. Mr. Ian Bushie (Keewatinook): Thank you, Mr. Deputy Chair, for the chance to say a few words on Bill 25, the wildfires–The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Wildfire Firefighters). I do want to say one thing, though, kind of, to start off with.

The definition of wildfire firefighter is, and I think this legislation goes to show that a firefighter is a firefighter. And whether it be the wildfire firefighter or somebody in an urban centre here in the city of Winnipeg, or in a town or a building or what have you. But it's–the impacts felt by the danger that a fire- fighter places them selves in should be across t he board.

And I think this legis lation goes to do–to address that to a certain degree, but there is still some– you know, it was mentioned by the member from Tyndall Park that it kind of scratches the surface a little bit, and there is still more to be done. But it is a step in the right direction. Each and every day during the summer, and in particular, today, if you, in the evening or in the morning, if the sun is out, you're going to look up and you're going to see that it's orange. You know, the sun is glowing orange because of the smoke.

Because of the smoke in this case, from Alberta, but in most cases, in other cases, it's from right here in the pro - vince of Manitoba. And you hear time and time again, references to the air quality. You know, the air quality for an urban centre or a town that may or may not be close to a fire situation, but the air quality affects people, in that wherever they may be, whether it be in the city of Winnipeg or whether it be in northern Manitoba, southern Manitoba, but that air quality affects them at maybe hundreds of miles away.

So, just imagine that being a couple hundred feet away or 10 feet away, or being right in the midst of that. So, that's the reality for a –and I'm –I may not reference in my words here today th e term wildfire firefighter, because to me, it's just a firefighter. And if–I shouldn't say just, but it's a fire fighter. And for my area, where I'm from, where I grew up, I was an emergency firefighter or an EFF back in my teenage days, younger days when you were called upon in your community to go out and help.

But we also had a number of members from our communities that were on initial attacks: fire rangers and what have you, who were on the front lines. And we talked time and time again about front-line workers, whether it be health care, education, but this is also a front-line occupation, and it absolutely has an impact on that. And I'll be quite honest here. Back in, you know, 20, 30 years ago, burning community garbage dumps was also kind of a normal thing. And I know the, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, yourself, you can probably attest to the fact that that was almost a normal practice for a lot of com munities back in the day, to be able to do that. And some of them called upon the firefighters to do that, whether it be initial attack or whether it be

2440 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 conservation-based, to do that on behalf of the com - munity. But, again, that exposure that they were open to, nobody thought about it at the time. Nobody thought about what those impacts w ould be about burning, let's say, the garbage dump, or burning, you know, in the forest, it's just a matter of, you know, here, put a mask on or cover your mouth and you'll be fine, not knowing that you're, in fact, breathing in contami - nants that could eventually lead to you dying, let alone all the health care–all health issues you may have going forward. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, it–when I first seen the legis- lation, it is some thing that resonated with myself, resonated in my com munity, resonated in a lot of northern Manitobans, in the fact that they may or may not have had loved ones that were in the fire service or forestry service, and they succumbed to cancer of some type, whether it be immediately after their time of work finished or later on in life. And maybe the questionnaire got asked, well, were a smoker, you know, did you smoke, or looks–looking for other reasons as to why you may have come into contact and developed cancer.

But the reality is it could absolutely play back to this kind of occupation that they choose to do. And in some cases it was an occupation they loved; they loved to be able to do that. They loved to be able to, because in most times, in most cases, including today and the people of Alberta, there are heroes out there that are putting their lives on the line in the forestry service in defence of their community and defence of their province, in defence of their country, to be able to kind of battle that fire, that may threaten a commu- nity, threaten somebody's lives, t hreaten somebody's home. So, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, that comes around full circle, then, to –and, again, going back to not cate - gorizing this as a wildfire firefighter and trying to put that on the same kind of level as a fire fighter here in, whether it be in the city of Winnipeg or a town site, but to be able to now have those same kind of benefits as a forest fire fire fighter would have to somebody else in an urban setting. So, I know Bill 25 goes to address that, and it goes to address the need to rec ognize that kind of danger that a forest fire firefighter has. But at the same time, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it needs to do a little bit more too.

It needs to also go back and–I think there was some conversations about whether or not there was, being able to look back at potentially retroactive situations that may have come about. And I know this is kind of a legislation that, going forward, will make the changes, but what about retro- active too? What about somebody who's going to have developed something, a workplace hazard from a fire fight–from a forest fire firefighting and now that's some- thing that developed a year ago? Do they fit into this legislation? Do they have the coverage of this legislation?

And those are some of the questions that w ere asked, and I'm sure the minister had heard those kinds of conver sations, you know, how do we make this better? And, again, this is a start, and I'm hoping that, you know, over time, this gets to be developed to say, okay, you know, we need to also i nclude, you know, this component and what have you. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it's imperative that the people, the families and the com munities that are impacted by this also have that say, are also consulted on this issue.

And you need to get out to conser vation bases, and I'm sure members opposite have known people that have worked for conser vation in some capacity and have a connection to forest fires here in Manitoba because sometimes that's just how we are in Manitoba. With the vast forests and the lush forests that we have, you know, we can't help but be affected by a fire situation. So, get out and talk to those folks and talk to those families, talk to those com munities and see exactly what that impact is. And, as I mentioned, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, I've had the–and I'll say this as a privilege, because that was an exciting time in your life. You know, you got to get out there and be the FF and jump in a helicopter and be some of the first people on the ground. But, at the same time, there was a lot of no thought to safety in those times: it's let's just do what it takes to protect our community, to protect what we need to do. But in hindsight, if you looked at that now and somebody goes out there and, well, where's all your PPE?

Where's all your precautions? * (15:20) And now, you have a fire fighter going out there with potentially, you know, tens of pounds of equip- ment on, just to be safe. And back then, there was a lot that didn't do that, and didn't do that, not because it wasn't some thing that was a priority, it was just something that wasn't available.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2441 So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, those same firefighters today are a little different. A lot of the same character- istics are still there. They will do what it takes to pro- tect the c ommunity, and I'm sure in Alberta that's happening right now, where there's hundreds and hun- dreds of emergency fire fighters that are out there doing their job. But then, again, that also begs the question, in here– in Manitoba, when the reference is to seasonal em- ployees, fire rangers, EFFs, initial attack officers, does that also then categorize an emergency firefighter?

So, an emergency firefighter is somebody who may or may not be in the service, who–he may not even have–he or she may not have another job, or they're just in the community saying, you know what, we need some people. We need some people to get out there. Do you have experience? Yes. Okay, let's go. So, are those people then covered under this legis- lation if they are out there putting their lives at risk, and their lives are in danger?

Maybe not in that moment, but if there was an exposure at whatever they're doing on behalf of the Province or behalf of conservation, and later on that exposure comes to say, hey, you know, you developed whatever it may be because of something you did in the summer of 2023. But here you are in 2027, not realizing that there's a connection there. So, we really need to, kind of, strengthen this legislation in that regard as well, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, so that nobody falls through the cracks, so that a clear definition of a seasonal employee, of a wildfire firefighter, of a firefighter is clearly defined so it en - compasses everybody, because there is a lot of danger there. And we've had it time and time again here in Manitoba, especially in northern Manitoba, you've seen communities that have been just completely shut off because of the fire situation. And in that regard, people that are living in those communities are doing whatever it takes. They may not have any experience.

Because I've been there with 14 -year-old teenagers and children that are out there doing what they need to do, and that's how they get that experience. And sometimes you get out there, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and you see a main camp or a fire camp that's kind of put up on an emergency basis to handle a project–fire, and there's dozens and dozens of crews out there of four or five people, and some of them range in age from 14 to 60, 70 years old, because of that vast experience.

But in this situation, then, they need to know that they're out there, not only doing what –because we can't just take them for granted; we can't just take – you're going to do what it takes no matter what. No, we have–they have to know and we have to assure them that they're, in fact, looked after. And Bill 25, I'm hoping, clarifies some of those situations where, in fact, an emergency firefighter then is covered under this.

You know, and I'm sure the minister –there's going to be categories of whether it would be an initial attack, fire rangers, seasonal, and there's various cate- gories that employees will fall into, but also about emergency firefighters and the categorization of the word emergency firefighters in that title, to ensure that everybody is covered in there; whether you're out there working for an hour, or whether you're out there work- ing for a week, or a month straight.

Because that's also happened time and time again in, at least in my ex perience, as well, knowing that emergency firefighters in our communities have been out there for 10-day stretches at a time, walking over an old burn in, you know, plus-40 conditions. And the expectation is you're just going to keep on doing it. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, they need to know that they're looked after. They need to know that they're looked after in whatever may arise from them in that moment, but also again, as I mentioned, later on in life. Mr.

Deputy Speaker, in the –in those situations then, this piece of legislation can't always put the onus on the individual. This piece of legis lation also just, kind of, be able to take care of the individual as well, where an individual doesn't have to come and prove, you know what, I got sick on the job; I got sick in May of 2023. I'm sorry that was two years ago. You know, you can't prove anything, you can't do anything, so, I'm sorry, we're not going to be able to help you.

There should be some kind of mechanism in place where people that are exposed to a fire situation, whether it be a wildfire firefighter situation, or expire situate, or a grass fire behind you, that they have a mechanism and a method in place where they can say, hey, this looks after me. This is over my situation, so there is no situations that fall through the cracks. So, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, getting back to talking about front-line savers of our community, that's truly– and there is, and you can–and I'm sure the members on this side, members opposite, in their lives have known somebody that they would even call heroes–or

2442 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 groups of people that they would call heroes, that have saved their communities, because of this fire situation. And I think just in my constituency alone, right, there's a vast number of people and individuals that have saved their communities when hydro lines have gone down, when the fire is literally yards away from their community, yards away from their homes. So, they're out there being able to do what it takes. My own community in particular, we've been evacu- ated a few times in my lifetime.

And I remember, there's one lake there, and I'm going to–it doesn't really have a name, but I know the community always called it Screw Lake. And that lake saved our commu- nity because of emergency firefighters who went into that situation, went into that pond and ran their hoses– 3 o'clock in the morning, pitch dark, all you could see is the glow from the fire. But, again, they were out there. And what did they have for PPE? They may have had steel-toed boots, but most likely just runners and the shirts on their backs. No hard hats, no masks, no ventilation. So, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, those individuals also need to be looked at in this legislation as well, so when those situations happen–because it is going to happen; there is goi ng to be situations, and maybe it's hap- pening in Alberta right now –there will be situations where there is no time, or at least the individuals will feel there's no time, to wait for proper ventilation, proper PPE. If I wait, my home is going to burn. If I wait, my town is going to burn. So, they're going to do whatever it takes. But legis lation should be able to cover that in the situations.

It's not recommended by any means that anybody do that, but we know, as individuals and as Manitobans, Manitobans are going to step up and do what it takes in a time of emergency to save their homes, their families, their commu nities. And we need to appre - ciate that.

Whether it be strengthening Bill 25 so the workers compensation actually covers everybody–not just somebody who fits in a certain category of an em- ployee or a staff member, or a whatever it fit in a various de partment in gov ernment, they need to be able to cover everybody who encompasses a fire situa- tion, everybody who wants to do what it takes and step up to help in a situation. Because that is–like I said, Mr. Deputy Speaker– that is going to happen numer ous times. It's already happened; it's going to happen in the future.

You can count on the fact that there is going to be individuals that are going to step up to save their com munities from fire situations. So, those individuals, in this legislation, also need to be considered, also need to be covered in this as well, and not kind of pushed aside on a technicality of the fact that you didn't fit into this–various categories that this piece of legislation defined as an emergency firefighter or a wildfire fire fighter, or a fire fighter in general. Mr. Deputy Speaker, that's what I ask of this legis- lation, that it is a start, but it is some thing, kind of, to build on.

It is a building block that we do to actually protect firefighters. And, again, I'm not going to sit here and specify and differentiate between wildfire fire fighter and a firefighter, because I know in the minister's comments also, he also maybe just subconsciously does not make that differentiation either, because a firefighter is a firefighter in all the situations. And I know that's what this legislation is hoping to accomplish, so there is no two-tiered system; there is just one kind of, this is what you are as a firefighter, and this is the protections we have.

So, I do think this legislation is a great start, but it is something we can build on. And, again, I'd like to say this now because–if I don't get that–this opportun- ity later on in this Chamber –to be able to say thank you to the people of Alberta that are stepping up in your fire situation, and thank you to Manitobans that– in the course of this summer, with climate change happening, our fire situation is dire and desperate, and we must need –we will have the need for fire fighters and emergency firefighters, so I thank you for your future efforts. Miigwech.

The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): Is there any further debate on this bill? Is the House ready for the question? Some Honourable Members: Question. The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): The question before the House is concurrence and third reading of Bill 25, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, wildfire fighter–firefighters. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt this motion? [Agreed] I declare the motion carried.

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2443 Bill 36–The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Amendment Act The Acting Speaker (Dennis Smook): We will now move on to Bill 36, The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Amendment Act. Hon. Jon Reyes (Minister of Labour and Immigration): I move, seconded by the Minister of Seniors and Long- Term Care (Mr. Johnston), that Bill 36, The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Amendment Act; Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les pratiques d'inscription équitables dans les professions réglementées, reported from the Standing Committee on Legis lative Affairs, be concurred in and now be read for a third time and passed. Motion presented. Mr. Reyes: I'm pleased to rise to provide comments on Bill 36. This is an im portant and timely bill that will expand gov ernment's statutory toolbox to foster and enforce more extradited labour mobility and fair registration. It addresses highly skilled labour shortages and com- petitive pressures in self-regulated registered professions.

This bill aims to reduce or remove barriers faced by labour mobility applicants to our province by en- suring that they are treated fairly and their appli ca- tions processed in a timely manner. The bill also requires regulated professions to comply with statutory regulations with respect to English or French language proficiency testing requirements. Changes to the bill requirement will help to reduce red tape and the financial burden for inter - nationally educated applicants.

These amendments empower the minister to issue compliance orders, to regulate professions not com - pliant with labour mobility legislation. This bill, modelled after similar a pproaches in other juris dictions, further supports fairness legis- lation's requirement for self-regulated professions to ensure transpar ency, objectivity, impartiality and fairness in their registration processes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

MLA Malaya Marcelino (Notre Dame): The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Amendment Act: the purpose of this bill is to amend The Fair Registration and Practices in Regulated Professions Act and its time limits are esta blished in which a regulated profession must respond to an application for registration from an individual who has a similar registration from –in another Canadian jurisdiction.

A regulated profession may apply to the minister for an extension of a time limit, and regula ted pro- fessions are also required to comply with any regula- tions respecting English or French language proficiency testing requirements for domestic and internationally educated individuals. Under this bill, compliance orders may now be made under this act if a regulated profession fails to comply with a domestic trade agreement. For people who follow closely these types of bills, or just the topic of barriers to accreditation, this is a very interesting bill, I thought.

It is–we are supporting this bill, and it will, you know, take another step forward today. But this is an interesting bill for me because it shows that the Province is trying to wrangle a little bit with regulators and that there is a significant problem right now with what is going on with what I think are 'unfairier'–unfair barriers to accreditation.

If you take a look at the provisions of this bill, especially about the need for me compliance orders, taking a look at the fact that it's discussing, you know, the registration n eeds for individuals from other Canadian jurisdictions to be able to come here as well. You will see, if you look closely, that what is actually happening here in Manitoba is very serious.

Folks from other countries that are looking to get registered here, let's say as engineers, nurses and doctors, and I'm going to mostly focus my comments today on our health professionals because we're currently ex periencing quite a serious shortage of health professionals here in Manitoba. What a careful observer, and certainly, for those families that are ex periencing this on a daily basis, know that over the last 10 years, I would say, here in the province of Manitoba, we have been experiencing very, very serious blockages for these folks that are trying to get their accreditation here in Manitoba.

With this bill, you could see that the gov ernment is playing catch-up. They are, after the fact, trying to address this exodus of people who are getting regulated–getting registered in other jurisdictions other than Manitoba, and then they are going to be coming here to Manitoba once they've already been registered success fully in other jurisdictions. So, the second provision here: Time limits are esta- blished in which a regulated profession must respond

2444 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA May 17, 2023 to an application for registration from an individual who has a similar registration in another Canadian jurisdiction. You know, there was a case that happened last summer. The Health Minister brings up this case a lot. But there was, I think, four int ernationally educated nurses who, you know, they were des perately trying to get their accreditation here in Manitoba. They were not able to, over a course of the few years that they were trying, due to unfair barriers or accreditation that we specifically have here in Manitoba.

They were then –they had to then leave the pro- vince in order to try to get that registration, and they were very success ful in doing so, in almost all the different provinces. One was in Nova Scotia; one was in Ontario; one wa s in Alberta; and one even had to learn French and do it in Quebec. And then, because their families were here in Manitoba, they were able to come back here to –they were trying to come back here to Manitoba to get registered here, but one of the regulators would not allow them to do so. And so, this bill would actually assist in that type of scenario, which, I have to say, Mr.

Deputy Speaker, despite some efforts on the part of this gov ernment, it's continuing to happen. So let me to try to say this clearly. It is a little bit of a complicated topic, but people are not getting registered here; they are getting registered as nursing pro fessionals in other juris dic- tions. Once they do that suc cessfully, then they will come back here to Manitoba, and this legislation that we're debating is going to help them do that. So, my question is, why is it that we are not trying to fix what's happening here in Manitoba in the very first place?

So, this legislation is going to fix the part where people can now easier –can now easily come back to Manitoba once they've already success fully been registered in their professions, I'm going to say as nurses, and then come back to Manitoba. But why aren't we trying to actively address what is happening here in Manitoba in the very first place? Why do we still have to wait for many, many years until the–until those professionals can come back, when we so des perately need those pro fessionals here, in Winnipeg, in rural health facilities, in northern facilities, in our remote facilities?

We des perately need those health professionals here in Manitoba, yet they are ex- periencing extremely frustrating situations. They have to be separated from their families for a very long time before they can come back to Manitoba, and this legis- lation will actually help with that. So, yes, it's great that we have this legis lation now, that it's going to be going forward soon.

Those nurses that I was speaking about wouldn't have had to, you know, put up their own money, pay f or lawyers, do some kind of legal challenge to the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba and–before they could get, like, their labour mobility rights acknowl edged and then be able to come and practise here in Manitoba. * (15:40) So, this legis lation would prevent, you know – would negate from that happening now. But, again, why are we not fixing the situation here? Why do these professionals have to go elsewhere to get registered first?

So, if you take a look at the notes –sorry, not the notes, but, like, the data provided by the Fairness Commissioner of Manitoba, from the Office of the Fairness Commissioner, they took a look at registration data–successful registration data–from 2011 to 2021, I believe. And we could see that during that tim e, 60 per cent of applicants that tried to get into nursing here in Manitoba actually failed to do so. So, more than half failed to do so.

And I can tell you anecdotally –I don't have the hard data, and I'm not sure if this gov ernment does either if the y're asking these kinds of questions, because it wasn't included in this –in the data set provided by the Office of the Fairness Commissioner– but I can tell you anecdotally, from my many, many meetings with many commu nity members that were experiencing this problem that those people, those 60 per cent that failed –let me put that in air quotes – that failed the registration process here in Manitoba went on to successfully get their registration as nurses in other jurisdictions.

Some of them fought hard to try to come back, but most of them had to stay where they were. Some of them went to the United States. So, those are pretty bad statistics, I think, for the province. Why is it that we are not working on this problem hard enough? Why are these peopl e able to get registered in other provinces and then not here? Not when we desperately need these people here, and especially in our rural, remote and northern communities. I just want to, maybe, first explain how I came to know about this problem that this bill is trying to rectify.

I think I was just–was reached out to by a con- stituent. You know, they just were very frustrated with the fact that she could practise as a nurse in Kenora, Ontario, but when she would come here, she could not

May 17, 2023 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 2445 practise as a nurse here and she was working as a health-care aide in one of our p

Document details

Collection	Manitoba — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	42-5-56
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	42nd 5th hansardpdf 56.pdf
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	5ae083089a0cc6f164befa25fb9506ba1cc40925

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